Kentucky Settles With Pfizer

Kentucky has reached a settlement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. over the illegal off-label marketing of its urology drug Detrol. The settlement concludes a government investigation into allegations that the company engaged in off-label marketing schemes to promote the sales of Detrol for uses that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The settlement will result in $152,607 being paid to the state’s Medicaid program.

The FDA approved Detrol in March 1998 for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency. Pfizer’s promotional activities were designed by the company to increase the prescribing of Detrol for uses in men for which it was not approved. These uses included treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia, bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms. The investigation began with a whistleblower lawsuit filed in a Boston federal court by two former Pfizer employees.